Self-propelled water craft



Sept. 29, 1964 c. EVANS SELF-PROPELLED WATER CRAFT 2 SheetsSheet 1 Filed Dec. 24, 1962 CHARLES EVANS ATTORNEYS P 1964 c. EVANS 3,150,632

SELF-PROPELLED WATER CRAFT Filed D80. 24, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 HTTO/P/VEYS United States Patent 3,156,632 SELF-PRGFELLED WATER CRAFT Qharles Evans, Fruita, tlolo. Filed Dec. 24, ram, Sell. No. 245,713 8 Claims. (Cl. 115-70) This invention relates generally to aquatic devices and refers more particularly to self-propelled water craft having control means therefor and employing a suitable power plant.

An object of the invention is to provide a novel selfpropelled craft having a pair of Water skis mounted thereon for controlling the craft by movements and maneuvers similar to those used in the control of snow skis.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel water craft which employs its own power and is controlled and guided by the rider.

A further object is to provide a novel self-propelled water craft which will automatically operate to stop any forward movement in the event of mishap to the rider.

Other objects and a fuller understanding of the invention may be had by referring to the following description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing in which:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan View of the water craft;

FIGURE 2 is a partial top plan view taken from the line 4-4 of FIGURE 1 and extending to the rear of the water craft;

FIGURE 3 is a partial top plan view taken from the line 66 of FIGURE 1 and extending to the rear of the water craft;

FIGURE 4 is a side elevational View of the device shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken along the section lines 55 of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 6 is a rear elevational view showing the device during a braking maneuver; and,

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of the motor during a braking maneuver taken along lines 3-8 of FIGURE 6.

With reference to the drawings for a more detailed description of the invention; the water craft comprises an elongated floatable body or surfboard 10 of which the bow is indicated at 1]. and the stern at 12. The surfboard 10 is constructed of buoyant materials well known to those familiar with the art. Examples of materials that may be used in the construction of the surfboard but not necessarily limited thereto are molded fiber glass and laminated wood or the like.

Located on the surface board 10 are a pair of skis 13 held onto the surfboard 10 by the swivel mounts 14. In the middle of the two skis 13 are located stirrups 15 and heel supports 16 into which the riders feet are placed when operating the water craft. At the rear end of each of the two skits 13 are two bars 17 extending vertically from the interior side of the skis 13. The vertical bars 1'7 are adapted to be permanently attached at their base 18 by the bolts 19 and 20.

Located on the surfboard 1th under the skis 13 at the position of the heel support 1% and near the rear end of the skis 13 are two horizontal rods 21 and 22 respectively for supporting the skis 13 and aiding in their movement. Also located on the surfboard 11! near the stern and is a cross bracing member 23 which limits the vertical and lateral movements of the skis 13 and is attached to the surfboard by the bolts 24.

At the stern or rear end of the surfboard 1d, a swivelly connected propulsion motor 25 is mounted and can be any of the various power plants utilized in the prior art for the propulsion of water crafts. However, the motor 25 as is illustrated in the drawings is preferably of the jet stream propulsion type and is mounted on the surfice board it} in such a manner as to dispose the propulsion portion of the motor above the water-line, shown dotted in FIGURE 5, when the craft is devoid of rider whereby the motor will be operative to provide propulsion only when the additional weight of the rider is placed thereon. In the event of a mishap to the rider the buoyance of the surfboard it is such as to force the propelling mechanism of the motor 25 out of the water and thus stopping any forward movement of the water craft. If the craft is equipped with a screw type motor, it will stop when the speed of the motor is cut to a slow idle, so that in the event of a mishap to the rider the throttle 46 will automatically return to the idling position because of a return spring, not shown, on the carburetor.

Connected to the motor 25 is a horizontal guide rod 26 extending anteriorly between the vertical bars 17. A spring 27 is extended between the middle of the horizontal guide rod 2% and the lower anterior portion of the motor 25 in order to return and hold the motor 25 in a straight ahead position in the event the skis are put into a snow plow maneuver in order to brake the craft. The purpose of the guide rod 26 is to provide an operative connection with the rear end of the skis 13 via the vertical bars 17 so that the surfboard 1d can be guided in any desired direction by moving the skis 1.3 in a substantially similar manner to those maneuvers used in snow skiing, as shown in FIGURE 2. Extending from the rear exterior side of each ski 13 are the springs 25%, which are connected to cable 29. The cable 29 passes over the dual pulleys 36} which are both respectively mounted on the two exterior sides of the motor 25. The cable 29 then passes in a downward direction and under pulley 31 which is attached to a movable reversing deflector 32. A spring 33 is extended between the deflector 32 and the rear portion of the motor 25 in order to aid in keeping the reversing deflector 32 in an elevated position as shown in FIG- URE 4. Also, as shown in FIGURE 4, the reversing deflector 32 is pivotally mounted on top of the lower part of the motor indicated at 34. As shown in FIGURES 3, 6 and 7, a braking action is obtained by bringing the front end of the skis 13 together and spreading the rear ends apart in a movement similar to the plowing maneuver in snow skiing. The cable 29 and pulleys 30 and 31 are arranged in such a manner as to pivot the reversing deflector 32 into the path of the jet stream, shown in FIG- URES 6 and 7, when the rear end of the skis 13 are spread apart in the braking maneuver. Specifically, the spring 33 holds the reversing deflector 32 in an elevated position as shown in FIGURE 4. However when the skiis are positioned into a snow plow maneuver, in which the rear end of the skis are spread apart causing the cable 2% to draw against the spring 33 thus pivoting the reversing deflector 32 into the proper position. The cable 29 is of such length that no drawing on the spring 33 will occur except when a plowing or braking maneuver is carried out.

A pair of outriggers designated as 35 are pivotally attached to the surfboard 1t lateral to each of the stirrups 15 at the position indicated at 36. A pair of springs 37 are attached to the interior side of the outriggers at 38 and to the surfboard at 39. At the outer end of each of the outriggers 35, pontoon arm 40 is hingedly connected thereto as indicated at 41. Attached to the opposite end of each of the pontoon arms 40 are the pontoons 42 which are adapted to fit into the recess 45 located on each side of the surfboard 10. A spring 47 is connected on each side of the hinge 41 to the outrigger 35 and to the pontoon arm 4% in order to add rigidity to the pontoons. The balance rods 44 are pivotally attached to each of the outriggers by means of a ball joint 45. A throttle 46 is located on one of the balance rods 44. The throttle 46, by means of a flexible cable linkage to motor 25, not

a,150,es2

shown, allows the rider to control the speed of the water craft. From the foregoing description and by referring to FIGURE 5, it is obvious that the rider, at the time when a change in direction is desired, will lower the pontoon 42 using the balance rod 44 on the side of the surfboard to which the turn is indicated thereby providing a turning axis and assuring the balance of the rider.

Thus, in operating the craft of this invention, the rider controls the guidance thereof by moving the skis 13 together in the direction of the desired turn. The rear end of the skis 13 moves the vertical bars 17 which in turn contact the horizontal guide rod 26 and thus moves the motor so that the craft is turned in the desired direction. At the time that the rider moves the skis in a desired manner to change direction, the rider will lower one of the pontoons 42 by using the balance rod 44 on the side of the craft to which the turn is indicated thereby moving the outrigger and the pivotally connected pontoon arm to which the pontoon 42 is attached thus moving the pontoon 42 to the desired position in order to provide a turning axis and to insure the balance of the rider. A braking action is accomplished by bringing the front end of the skis 13 together and spreading the rear ends apart. A cable 29 is connected to the rear end of the skis 13 which is passed through the pulleys 3t) and 31, the latter pulley being connected to the reversing deflector 32, so that when the rear ends of the skis 13 are spread apart the cable 29 is pulled forward forcing the reversing deflector 32 into the path of the jet stream whereby a satisfactory braking action is efl'ected, see FIGURES 3, 6 and 7.

Although I have described my invention with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure has been made only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction and the combination and arrangements of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

What is claimed is:

1. In a power operated water craft comprising a floatable elongated body having a power plant controlled by the rider movably mounted at the stern end, the combination therewith of a pair of skis for supporting a rider, said skis movably mounted in a substantially parallel relationship on the upper surface of the fioatable elongated body and adapted to have an operative connection with the power plant for purposes of turning the water craft when the rider moves the skis, means mounted on the fioatable elongated body controlled by the rider for providing a turning axis and maintaining the riders balance, a braking device mounted on the rear of the power plant for providing a braking action on the fioatable elongated body and actuating means for operating the braking device.

2. In a power operated water craft comprising a floatable elongated body having a power plant controlled by the rider movably mounted at the stern end, the combination therewith of a pair of skis for supporting a rider, said skis movably mounted in a substantially parallel relationship on the fioatable elongated body and adapted to have an operative connection between the rear end of the skis and the power plant for purposes of turning the water craft when the rider moves the rear end of the skis together in a maneuver substantially similar to a turning maneuver in snow skiing, means mounted on the fioatable elongated body controlled by the rider for providing a turning axis and maintaining the riders balance, a braking device on the fioatable elongated body and means operatively connecting the rear end of the said skis and the braking device whereby to enable the rider to brake the water craft upon spreading the rear end of the skis in a maneuver similar to that used in snow skiing.

3. In a power operated water craft comprising a fioatable elongated body having a power plant controlled by the rider movably mounted at the stern and, the combination therewith of a pair of skis for supporting a rider, said skis movably mounted in a substantially parallel relationship on the fioatable elongated body and adapted to have an operative connection between the rear end of the skis and the power plant for purposes of turning the water craft when the rider moves the rear end of the skis together in a maneuver substantially similar to a turning maneuver in snow skiing, a foldable balancing mechanism having one end movably mounted on each side of the fioatable elongated body and having a pontoon mounted on the other end, said balancing mechanism under the sensitive control of the rider in order to provide a turning axis and to maintain the riders balance, a braking device mounted on the rear of the power plant for providing a braking action on the fioatable elongated body and means operatively connecting the rear end of the said skis and the braking device whereby to enable the rider to brake the water craft upon spreading the rear end of the skis in a maneuver similar to that used in snow skiing.

4-. The subject matter of claim 3, in which the power plant is of the jet stream propulsion type.

5. A power operated water craft comprising in combination a fioatable elongated body, a pair of skis for supporting a rider, said skis movably mounted in parallel relationship on the upper surface of the fioatable elongated body, a power plant under the sensitive control of the rider movably mounted at the stern end of the floatable elongated body and adapted to provide an operative connection with the skis for purposes of turning the water craft, means mounted on the fioatable elongated body controlled by the rider for providing a turning axis and maintaining the riders balance, a braking device mounted on the rear of the power plant for providing a braking action on the fioatable elongated body and actuating means for operating the braking device.

6. A power operated water craft comprising in combination a fioatable elongated body, a pair of skis for supporting a rider, said skis movably mounted in parallel relationship on the fioatable elongated body, a power plant under the sensitive control of the rider movably mounted at the stem end of the fioatable elongated body and adapted to provide an operative connection with the rear end of the skis for purposes of turning the water craft, said power plant being mounted to dispose the propulsion portion of the power plant above the water line when the water craft is devoid of rider whereby the power plant will be rendered inoperative to provide propulsion in the event of mishap to the rider, means mounted on the floatable elongated body controlled by the rider for providing a turning axis and maintaining the riders balance, means for controlling the speed of the power plant operated by the rider and mounted on the said means for providing a turning axis and maintaining the riders balance, a braking device mounted on the rear of the power plant for providing a braking action on the fioatable elongated body and means operatively connecting the rear end of the said skis and the braking device to enable the rider to brake the water craft upon spreading the rear end of the skis in a plowing maneuver similar to that used in snow skiing.

7. A power operated water craft comprising in combination a fioatable elongated body, a pair of skis for supporting a rider, said skis movably mounted in parallel relationship on the fioatable elongated body, a power plant under the sensitive control of the rider movably mounted at the stern end of the fioatable elongated body and having an operative connection with the rear end of the skis for purposes of turning the water craft, said power plant mounted to dispose the propulsion portion of the power plant above the water line when the water craft i devoid of rider whereby the power plant will be rendered inoperative to provide propulsion in the event of mishap to the rider, a foldable balancing mechanism having one end movably mounted on each side of the fioatable elongated body and having a pontoon mounted on the other end, said balancing mechanism under the sensitive control of the rider in order to provide a turning axis and to maintain the riders balance, means for controlling the speed of the power plant operated by the rider and mounted on the foldable balancing mechanism, a braking device mounted on the rear of the power plant for providing a braking action on the floatable elongated body and means opera- 5 tively connecting the rear end of the said skis and the braking device whereby to enable the rider to brake the water craft upon spreading the rear end of the skis in a maneuver similar to that used in snow skiing.

8. The subject matter of claim 7, in which the power 10 plant is of the jet stream propulsion type.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Vogt Jan. 24, 1961 Dube Oct. 3, 1961 Pifer May 22, 1962 Dowty Nov. 20, 1962 Lee Mar. 19, 1963 FOREIGN PATENTS Italy Oct. 30, 1930 France Feb. 4, 1953 

5. A POWER OPERATED WATER CRAFT COMPRISING IN COMBINATION A FLOATABLE ELONGATED BODY, A PAIR OF SKIS FOR SUPPORTING A RIDER, SAID SKIS MOVABLY MOUNTED IN PARALLEL RELATIONSHIP ON THE UPPER SURFACE OF THE FLOATABLE ELONGATED BODY, A POWER PLANT UNDER THE SENSITIVE CONTROL OF THE RIDER MOVABLY MOUNTED AT THE STERN END OF THE FLOATABLE ELONGATED BODY AND ADAPTED TO PROVIDE AN OPERATIVE CONNECTION WITH THE SKIS FOR PURPOSES OF TURNING THE WATER CRAFT, MEANS MOUNTED ON THE FLOATABLE ELONGATED BODY CONTROLLED BY THE RIDER FOR PROVIDING A TURNING AXIS AND MAINTAINING THE RIDER''S BALANCE, A BRAKING DEVICE MOUNTED ON THE REAR OF THE POWER PLANT FOR PROVIDING A BRAKING ACTION ON THE FLOATABLE ELONGATED BODY AND ACTUATING MEANS FOR OPERATING THE BRAKING DEVICE. 